In the study of literature, it is important to remember that a story consists of several elements: plot, characters, setting, point of view, conflict, symbol, and theme. In fiction, the author can place an emphasis on any one or more of these elements, or he can do just the opposite and de-emphasize any one or more of these elements. For example, readers cannot analyze a story looking only at setting, but some authors may want the reader to focus on the plot, so they may include little information about the setting. When analyzing a piece of literature, it is important to look at all of the elements and how they work together to create an entire story.
Plot - the related series of events that make up a story
Exposition - the beginning of a story in which the main characters, conflicts, and setting are introduced
Rising action - the action that takes place before the climax; the plot becomes more complicated, leading to the climax
Climax - the turning point of the story; emotional high point for the protagonist
Falling action - the action that takes place after the climax, leading to the resolution
Resolution - the end of a story; problems are solved, and the characters’ futures are foreshadowed
Conflict - the struggle(s) between opposing forces, usually characters
Internal conflict - a character’s struggle with himself or his conscience
External conflict - a character’s struggle with an outside force, such as another character, nature, or his environment
Characters - the individuals involved (either directly or indirectly) in the action of the story
Protagonist - the central character in a story; struggles against the antagonist
Antagonist - the conflicting force against the protagonist; can be another character, a force of nature, or the protagonist struggling against himself
Setting - the time and place, or where and when, the action occurs
Physical - the physical environment in which a story takes place; this includes the social and political environment, as well as the atmosphere
Chronological - the time in which a story takes place (includes the era, season, date, time of day, etc.)
Point of View - the perspective from which a story is told
Narrator - the “voice” that tells a story; may or may not reflect the opinions and attitudes of the author himself
First person - a narrator who uses the first-person pronouns (I, me, my, myself, etc.) when telling the story; focuses on the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of a particular character
Third person limited - a narrator who uses the third-person perspective with the third person pronouns (he, she, it, they, etc.); observes the action as an outside observer, revealing the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of only one character
Third person omniscient - like third-person limited, the third-person omniscient narrator uses the third-person perspective with the third person pronouns (he, she, it, they, etc.), this type of narrator observes the action as an outside observer, however, revealing the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of several characters
Theme - the main idea behind a literary work; the message in the story
From Secondary Solutions "To Kill A Mockingbird Literature Guide"
From Secondary Solutions "To Kill A Mockingbird Literature Guide"